Is Doberman Rottweiler Mix too Aggressive? Complete Guide

The Doberman Rottweiler mix popularly known as Rotterman is a hybrid of the two German dog breeds, Doberman Pinscher and Rottweiler.

Both these dogs are large-sized who have been bred by humans as guard dogs.

Doberman Rottweiler mix is confident, protective, loyal, and affectionate but can become aggressive if they think their family is in danger.

It is a must that you should train them from the beginning and socialize them enough with other humans and pets. They are suitable for experienced dog owners who can be the leader of the pack.

They are also known as Doberott or Doberweiler.

Doberman Rottweiler Specifications

What does a Doberman-Rottweiler mix look like?

The Doberman Rottweiler or Rotterman has long elegant legs and a streamlined body built for velocity.

Their chest is muscular with a body that appears box-shaped. Their strong long legs support the body and they can reach amazing speeds when required.

Their faces are long and lean and they often have black hair with tan points above the eyes.

Their eyes are constantly alert observing his surroundings. The ears can be floppy or long and pricked up.

The coat is smooth and shiny and usually black with tan points on the lower legs that make him look like a handsome gentleman in a tuxedo. The tail is long and thin and is often cropped (this is illegal in many countries now).  

Is Rotterman aggressive?

With their size, they may look intimidating in appearance, but he is quite loving and friendly. They are calm, and obedient dogs but can be difficult for inexperienced dog owners with their confident and independent attitude.

The Doberman Rottweiler mix dog enjoys cuddles and will tag behind you around the house. This hybrid dog breed is very protective, watchful, and loyal to his owner. They can become aggressive while being protective of their family.

This dog loves attention, and will enjoy being showered with love, exercise-oriented games will also be welcomed, basically anything that involves the family!

Both the parent breeds of this dog are bred as guard dogs and they can be aggressive. We would strongly recommend that you put time and effort into training and socialize them with other humans and pets from puppyhood.

Size of Doberman Rottweiler mix

Rotterman is a large dog with astonishing strength and agility. With their dominating presence, they look initimidating.

They can weigh between 70 to 130 pounds and can stand at a height of 24 to 28 inches. In addition, they give piercing stares and his barks are loud and startling for children and even strangers.

Average lifespan of Rotterman is around 9 to 12 years.

Due to their size and activity needs, they are not suitable for apartment living and a house with a yard will be a better-suited habitat.

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Doberman Rottweiler mix coat colors and characteristics 

Rotterman have short hair on their bodies which may appear to be sleek and silky. But when you stroke the coat, you will find them to be stiff and prickly.

This Rottweiler mix sports a single coat as both his parents are short-haired single coat dog breeds. Because of this coat, they do not do well in a cold climate and are suitable for warmer environments.  

When it comes to coat colors, the Rotterman is restricted to a mix of tan, black, and brown with various markings.

Care

Grooming

With short coarse hairs, grooming the Rotterman is not a tedious job and they are considered low maintenance when it comes to grooming.

If not in the shedding season, brushing once a week or even two weeks should suffice.

In shedding season, you might need to brush him 2 or 3 times a week. This will keep the coat in prime condition and spare your carpets from his hair.

If you are noticing more hairs around the house, there could be an underlying reason.

Stress or disease can likely be the cause. Closely monitor all aspects of their health and living conditions to know what is causing this extra shedding.

Grooming keeps the coat neat and tidy and brushes out damaged and old hairs. Grooming keeps the coat healthy and moisturized with natural oils. 

Bathing should be done when required. These coats do not get too dirty fast. Good news for the owner since this large dog is not the easiest to bathe. 

Use a good quality dog shampoo that consists of organic products. Chemical shampoos might be too potent for the sensitive skin of your Rotterman. 

While grooming, check and see if there are any swellings, scratches, or rashes on the underside of his body. Sometimes grooming products used can cause rashes or other skin conditions.

Brushing teeth

Teeth need brushing to remove food bits. These leftovers can start dental infections and foul smells.

Bone shards left between teeth can cause your dog severe pain. If you notice your dog’s eating patterns changing, his teeth could be the reason.

Nail clipping

Like all dogs, the Doberman Rottweiler mix will require nails clipping as soon as his nails grow. These long nails could become a danger not only to himself but to the owner. They could affect his active nature. 

Training

This is a very important part of your dog’s life. It determines the nature of your dog. Will your dog be feared or loveable? It is his training and socialization that will decide.

From day one training and socializing are not negotiable! He should be exposed to other dogs and people to make him experienced and knowledgeable. Getting him into dog playgroups when young will allow him to observe the behavior of other dogs. 

Training him to be non-aggressive in all scenarios is the best. This includes how to behave around children. Being raised with children and pets like cats does help.

This dog breed is generally advised to be adopted by families with older children to avoid any accidental mishaps.

They are clever dogs who take pleasure in pleasing their master. During training, use praise and treats to reinforce the experience. This will make them feel rewarded and they could absorb training better.

Not only that, they like being stimulated and challenged physically and mentally, this helps in tiring him out and puts him to sleep sooner. A well-trained dog should be at ease in any environment, with anyone.

Exercise

This is a large dog having high energy drive. Activity is a major part of their day and not a day of rest is required for these powerhouses. 

If you are a fitness addict who enjoys jogging, cycling, or hiking, it would suit this Doberman mix to join you. Short walks are a leisurely activity for such an athletic dog, if you really want to harness their power, more active games are needed.

They need to be exercised for an hour each day. If they are not exercised regularly, they can become obese. A worse scenario is that they become stressed and have anxiety issues when confined to the house. 

Health

As your dog is a hybrid, it helps to know the parents, and what health conditions they are prone to. These hybrids are vulnerable to inherited diseases as well as diseases they can develop throughout their lives.

Doberman Rottweiler mix is at risk of below diseases 

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation

This often occurs when you feed your dog straight after exercise. The gas could build up because of swallowing air or just gas accumulation.

It leads to the gas filled stomach twisting on itself. It is extremely painful for the dog and results in death if left untreated.

Also, do not exercise your dog straight after feeding as this condition could develop.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are a very common health condition in dogs. It can be very painful for the canine as it results in loss of mobility.  

Bone Cancer

This mostly afflicts older dogs but it can happen to younger dogs too. Unfortunately, cancer affects a lot of Rottweiler dogs and is not curable. 

Von Willebrand Disease

This is a disease that causes excessive bleeding due to low levels of clotting proteins in the blood. It could be long-lasting or even life-long. It is mostly inherited but could develop later in life. 

It would be sad to see your dog suffer from such illnesses. To avoid this, you can have regular vet check-ups, or get your dog gene tested to see any disease risks.

Lineage

The Doberman 

Recognized as one of the best guard dogs in the world, the Doberman Pinscher is a brave and loyal dog that is intelligent but territorial. They are also known for aggressiveness when it comes to protecting their turf. 

They can grow to a size of 24 to 28 inches tall and weigh between 60 to 80 pounds.

Doberman could have high prey-drive, something that makes him not suitable for homes with toddlers or small pets.

The Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is one of the oldest herding dogs that dates back to the Roman Empire. Also originating in Germany, the Rottie is a large dog that has earned its place as a suitable companion dog that is protective of his family. 

This is by no means a medium dog as he can grow to a size of 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 100 to 130 pounds. 

Crossing these two breeds the Doberman and Rottweiler yields a superior guard dog that can double act as a companion dog.

If you happen to know about a Doberman Rottweiler mix, do let us know your story in the comments section below.

References

1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/030098588402100302